Allan GIVEN | Editor in Chief

Allan was first published at the age of thirteen after interviewing Gary Hart and covering the 1984 Presidential Campaign. Writing ever since, Allan has appeared in countless newspapers and magazines, and throughout the course of his career, has had the opportunity to interview scores of individuals from the worlds of film, music, television, business and politics.

Allan has received numerous awards for his writing, and in 2005, his episode of FAMILY GUY was a semi-finalist at the Austin Film Festival, the farthest a script for an animated show has ever made it in that prestigious competition. He has done script doctoring on a plethora of projects and is available to provide coverage on both feature length and television screenplays. To learn more about this service, please click HERE to email Allan directly.

Allan graduated cum laude with his Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from the University of California, San Diego and later went on to study screenwriting and producing at the UCLA School of Theatre, Film and Television.

He currently resides in southern California and can also be found on Twitter: @allangiven

Deejah FIGUEROA | Music Editor

Deejah fell in love with music at the ripe age of three when she could be heard singing lines from LaBelle’s “Lady Marmalade” around the house. A Communication major at Northern Arizona University, Deejah got her first job at a radio station to make some extra cash – the station was classical – but that just introduced her to another genre of music to love.

Listening to music, going to concerts and making mix tapes for her friends are some of her hobbies. Deejah also loves to catch a movie at least once a week if possible and she is an avid reader.

She can soon be heard on Magic 99.1 http://www.magic991.com/ discussing music and other aspects of pop culture.

Deejah resides in Phoenix.

Scott HOPKINS | Pop Bitez Editor

Born in Toledo, Ohio, on the 8th of February, Scott began his acting career at the age of thirteen. Dedicating the first half of his life almost exclusively to the stage, Scott appeared on hundreds of stages across the United States including in his critically acclaimed one man shows, CARNAL APPETITES, YOU’VE NO BUSINESS NEAR SHOW BUSINESS and ANOTHER LIVE SEX ACT.

The second half of Scott’s life has been devoted to writing and acting in films. His credits have been seen by thousands of people across the country at various film festivals.

Scott’s love of writing can only be equaled by his love of music. Since his childhood, he has interviewed many giants of the music industry.

Scott resides in Chandler, Arizona.

Miranda KO | On-air Correspondent

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Miranda grew up in the bustling town of Kowloon before moving to Tokyo and attending Hosei University Girl’s School as an exchange student. She is now pursuing a degree in Management Science at the University of California, San Diego, and is conducting research in Marine Science at Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Miranda also studied English at Stanford University.

Miranda is a true cosmopolitan. Her ability to speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, and English – plus her immersion of the three cultures has allowed her to travel fluidly in Asia and America.

After being approached by an agent, Miranda began her modeling career at fifteen and has been featured in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and San Francisco. Her works include: Intel, Party City, Northface, Smashbox Cosmetics, D&G Anthropology Fragrance, Sephora, Neutrogena, Adidas, Eufora, Phonak, Ecowatt, Swing Design, Harquein Feltworks, Yogawhat, Bella’s Bridesmaid, Prom Magazine, Milk! Magazine, Yes! Magazine, JJ Magazine(Tokyo), New Dynasty Magazine(Xian) and many more.

Miranda is not only intelligent and beautiful – she is also bad-ass in her own way. Miranda was the captain of the varsity wrestling team in high school, and as the only girl, she was first to capture the MVP award, Regional Championship, and placed in her school’s Wrestling Hall of Fame.

To learn more about Miranda, visit her online at mirandako.com, or follow her on Twitter: @mirandakodotcom.

Lara H. SMITH | Books Editor

Lara H. Smith intended to major in English Literature, but boredom with Milton and Melville resulted in a change of course and a degree in Communication from the University of Arizona. She works in Corporate Communications for a healthcare company and devours all things pop culture in her downtime. To balance her serious interest in reading contemporary literature, watching quirky independent films and partaking in amateur digital photography, Lara indulges her guilty pleasure of shamelessly watching every season of ABC’s craptastically wonderful “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette.”

Lara is currently pursuing her newest project, “Lara’s Reading Room,” where she will read and review a book a week for the entirety of 2010. To follow Lara’s progress, please visit her online at: Lara’s Reading Room.

She resides in Arizona.

Robert SUCATO | Games Editor

Robert has been involved as a filmmaker, actor, writer, and all around “jack of all trades” in many short and full-length feature films. In 2003 he was appointed as the Executive Director of the Phoenix Film Project (now IFP Phoenix), the largest organization of independent filmmakers in Arizona, with over two thousand filmmaker members, and the sibling organization to the Phoenix Film Festival. As board representative for the Phoenix Film Project on the Arizona Film and Media Coalition, Robert helped write legislation that became the Arizona Motion Picture Tax Incentive. Robert was also the Executive Producer of the first five episodes of “Screen Wars,” a television show that involves short films in competition. Upon his departure from the show, Robert was the Media Director for Moving Pictures Magazine where he had the pleasure of attending film festivals in the US and abroad, including covering the annual Cannes Film Festival. Robert was also the co-creator of Commentary Nation, a social networking site that was filled with the editorial views of everyone on any subject.

Robert recently directed the short film “Real Gone Cat” for Phoenix based HopCat Productions, in which he also served as Executive Producer. Starring national recording artists and well-known talent, the film toured the national and international film festival circuit. Recently, Robert was involved with 139 other filmmakers in the “140″ Film Project that involved simultaneous filming around the globe. As usual, he is currently working on another film.

Robert resides in Phoenix, Arizona with his beautiful wife and two energetic children.

Lisa CAMP | Contributor

Lisa Camp is an aspiring entrepreneur, wife of sixteen years, mom of four great kids, full-time executive assistant in a bustling renewable energy company and a humble writer in her spare time. She loves to travel, exercise and read one to two books every month. As a former professional clown for more than 18 years, Lisa has a passion for children, and all things related to business.

She resides in her hometown of Arizona again, after spending several amazing years in Vermont.

Elizabeth LYELL | Contributor

Elizabeth is a freelance writer and an admitted sci-fi enthusiast. She developed her love for British programming after living abroad and is now a devotee of BBC America and PBS. She is a voracious reader and loves traveling to new and exciting places to soak in the local culture. Elizabeth graduated summa cum laude with her degree in Anthropology.

Elizabeth lives in California.

Marie PEASHA | Contributor

Marie is a freelance writer from Monterey Bay, CA. She is addicted to all things television, and actively follows almost every reality based show on the air. Marie enjoys life to the fullest and believes that humor is the most important thing in life. Of course, she is also looking for a rich man to buy her a house on the beach and then to go away and leave her alone.

Kathleen RICHTER | Contributor

Kathleen Richter is a freelance writer of all kinds, from blog posts to news articles. She published her first piece in an undergraduate International Affairs journal, Prospect, and has been acting as an editor for them ever since. She has won an award for her analytical writing, and has written news articles and blog posts for the Feminist Majority Foundation. During her spare time, she has been known to hide in independent coffee shops and write short fiction pieces.

In addition to writing, Kathleen also publishes a weekly webcomic about being a vegan feminist, called F.E.V.A.H.

Kathleen graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in International Studies and two minors, one in Writing and one in Spanish Literature.

Kathleen currently lives in California.

Michael WELCH | Contributor

Michael is an I.T. professional with a deep love for music, film and books.

Also vying for his attention are his lovely wife, three children (Alexandra, age 10, and infant twins DJ & Xander), and many pets.

He was born in New York, spent a thirteen year summer in Arizona, and now resides happily in Boise, ID.

His hobbies include volleyball, motorcycle riding, computer gaming and diaper changing.